Seniors struggling to pay their bills now have access to an organization that offers them help; with recent updates, the demographic eligible for funding is now considerably larger. More Floridians will soon get the support they need in order to keep their homes in working order without fretting over past-due bills.
The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) is an established initiative that provides financial assistance to struggling seniors. As a project under the umbrella of the Senior Resource Alliance (SRA), the initiative has access to an entity partnered with nine organizations, all of which dedicate themselves to taking care of our vulnerable population. Its partnering organizations include the following:
- Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center
- Aging Matters in Brevard
- Brevard Alzheimer’s Association
- Informed Families
- Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association
- Meals on Wheels
- Seniors First
- Share The Care
- Osceola Council on Aging
Previously, EHEAP was only available to individuals over 60 years of age with low income. With the latest revision to eligibility requirements, individuals over 60 can receive benefits if a person in their household receives any type of welfare, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Social Security (SSI), or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The person receiving welfare benefits does not have to be the senior. The senior must only provide proof of residence while the person with benefits provides proof of reception in order to receive help from EHEAP.
EHEAP provides a maximum of $3,500 in energy bill assistance for multiple energy bills. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides 100% of funding through a grant meant to protect the elderly in emergencies.
“Although some sectors of the economy are starting to bounce back, our seniors still need our help,” said Karla Radka, president and CEO of Senior Resource Alliance (SRA), the organization overseeing EHEAP applications. “Our priority is to provide assistance to as many senior households as possible – and we are grateful to the state for expanding these eligibility requirements to accomplish that goal.”
To be completely eligible, seniors must meet the following requirements:
- Be a resident of either Orange, Seminole, Osceola, or Brevard County
- Provide proof of residence and an energy bill, even if not in the senior’s name
- Experience a home energy crisis such as disconnection, overdue bills, or delinquency
- Provide proof of TANF, SSI, or SNAP benefits of person in household
- Provide documentation of total household income
“It is our responsibility to care for our community’s most vulnerable,” said Radka. “With these expanded eligibility requirements, we’re able to provide assistance for so many more seniors in need.”
Those interested in applying for home energy bill assistance can contact any of the three local processing partners: Osceola Council on Aging at (407) 846-8532, Meals on Wheels at (407) 333-8877, or Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation at (321) 253-4430. Further information regarding SRA and its benefits can be found at SeniorResourceAlliance.org.
